Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-15
A PARAGRAPH rNsKRrED.
A Portion OF the commissioners Re
port That Flas Caused q Sensation.

COL LUDLOW CHARGED WITH PUTTING IN SOMETHING
THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC REsERvATIoNs-CoI- LUD-
LOWS ExPLANATION-wHAT THE OTHER C0NAIs-
s1oNERs SAT-.
In letter to the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette,
republished to-day in a morning paper here, Gen.
II. v. Boynton charges that Commissioner Ludlow
surreptitiously, and without the knowledge
OF Commissioners Webb and Wheatley,
inserted in the annual report of the District Com.
miss1oners, after the two gentlemen last referred
10 MAD signed 1t. an important suggestion involy.
ing an Increase In District taxation Of at least
$4,000.
The paragraph which. it is claimed, was surrep-
ttlously inserted was as follows:
ut Is proper to invite attention to some uncer-
tafnty OF Jurisdiction over the public spaces
formed by street intersections. In many cases
t1eSe nave been heretofore improved and cared
for embellished with turf and plants and suitably
Enclosed with low chain and pipe fences, under
ings and grounds. The advantages OF this ar
rangement and the saving OF expense TO the
District have been accepted by the District
OF the space has been at the cost OF unduy narrow
ing the paSsageway even to the complete oblitera-
ion obs se as on 70 1aen
or repair the lines Of sewer and water pipe
within the Enclosures OF these so-calIed reser-
and parking, and embarrassment has ensued
from the lack of recognized distinction be-
tween their character as legal Government
Of the '' Commissipners Il is desirable that
an authoritative decision be had as to
the jurisdiction over these areas"
COMMISSIONER LUDLOW DENIES.
Commissioner Ludlow declined to be interviewed
to-day upon the SUBJECT but stated that the para
graph was not only not surreptitiously inserted
by him, but was made with the full knowledge
and consent OF the board OF District Com
misslOners. He stated that full ex-
could be found in the records in the Secretary 5
Once and that they are open for inspection at any
Time. examination OF these records shows
Wilson, Commissioner of Public Build
ings and Grounds, complained to the
District Commissioners that a Mr. Chas. W. King
was building a house at the Intersection OF Massa-
chusetts avenue and 9TH street east, and that he
mad entered upon the United States reservation.
NO. 81 al that place. partially removed the post and
chain fence, and run his baywindows about foot
inside the fence line. Col Wilson inquired under
what authority the building inspector had per-
United this to DE done, and stated that sit is pro-
babe that the District Commissioners have GER
tain powers In cases OF this kind under some law
which have not seen or that MIR. Entwisle has
Secretary Tindail replied for the Commissioners
on october 81 that the building regulations pre-
an q, Cs o. Congres permit the cree
beyond the building 'line,' and occupation to that
eHten5 Of public property title to which is in the
Here the question rested until Feb "a, 1887,
when Col. Wilson wrote the Commissioners in ref
erence 10 the pavements around the various parks
ann reservations under control of his ONCE.
He wrote in this connection. 81 have to say
that while the act Of February 2l 1871 directsthe
Board OF Public Works to have control OF streets,
avenues, alleys, &C, there appears to have been
no liked rule In regard TO sidewalKsi
whenever repairs have been needed
the they ,,,an have been made by this Of =;
where SPECIFIC appropriations have permitted II,
we have laid new sidewalks. Col. Wilson cited
ssa ca draw in point and 81 w
fences or the inner lines OF sidewalks
and transfer to your department the supervision
and control OF the sidewalks. should this be agree
able TO you Will 50 recommend to the Secretary
Of War;
The matter was referred to Capt Griffin, of the
missioners that the term street" usually
comprehends the footways well as the
roadways, and there are many disad-
concerning such footways. at would put matters
on settled and far more satisfactory basis" said
he, III the control OF the Commissioners were con-
strued 10 extend TO the parking line on all public
streets"
The advice OF District Attorney Riddle was
asked, and he stated that a street covers the
whole space between building lines. Referring to
several acts OF Congress he said thatwhenever side
walks are mentioned, they are always spoken OF
as the hands OF the Commissioners" Later on
April IL, the Board OF Commissioner In q letter TO
the United District Attorney said:
"a preliminary investigation OF the question in
dlcateS clearly an absence OF authoritative under
standing as TO what are the public spaces under
the control OF the Commissioners, and what are
the reservations under the exclusive jurisdiction
OF the Federal Government"
In concluding this letter the Commissioners said
"IheS9 uncertainties II Is OF considerable
Importance to remove, and the Commissioners
therefore suggest that the subject be considered
by the law department OF the Federal Govern
ment. and a final ana conclusive statement
and map be prepared for the Information and
guidance OF the Commissioners"
WHAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS SAY.
Commissioner Wheatly stated today that the
paragraph referred to had not been Inserted with
his authority. Further, he would not say.
Commissioner Webb said that he did not read it.
He said 1t was not inserted after the Commission
ers signed the report, but must have been done
after they read It, sit is very singular" said Mr..
Webb; Every remarkable
Reducing the ExUenSeS.